Canadian duo DALA returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, May 7th at 8PM. Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of DALA have come a long way in a short time. The two best friends, who met in their high school music class and wrote their first song together in 2002, have since become darlings of the Canadian music scene and are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music to the world. DALA has become one of the hottest selling acts in the folk-pop world, selling out concerts wherever they are booked. They won the coveted Canadian Folk Music Award for "Best Vocal Group", were nominated for a Juno, Canada's Grammy, and they were featured in a PBS special "Girls from the North Country".

According to Exclaim they are "…the angels of folk music. Ethereal, eloquent and downright beautiful, the music they create is faultlessly performed." Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda's ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila's velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark. The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. http://www.dalagirls.com/

Toronto based roots duo The Young Novelists have had a busy year. Husband and wife duo Graydon James and Laura Spink are known for their beautiful harmonies and songs culled from their small-town roots. They won the 2015 Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition at the Connecticut Folk Festival and the band recently returned from Edmonton where they won the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Award for New/Emerging Artist of the Year. http://www.theyoungnovelists.com/

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $20. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter on Wednesday, May 4th (and every first Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.

Smile

Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience!

New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has planned a progressive dinner for Sunday, May 15, and invites everyone to come enjoy a night out in downtown Franklin.Building on the success and popularity of the first dinner last fall, organizers are offering delicious options at several downtown restaurants. Dinner goers can also take chances to win raffle items donated by FDP member businesses.“Our Progressive Dinner is one way we are reminding our community to visit Franklin’s downtown eateries during the road construction process. What better way than to have people walking through downtown, enjoying local restaurants and entertainment with friends?” says event organizer Jane Curran, owner of Jane’s Frames and FDP board member.Diners will choose from two different flights, with each flight including soup at one restaurant, an appetizer at a second, then dinner and dessert at a third. Flights will be staggered to begin every half hour beginning at 5:00 p.m.

“Flight A” includes soup at Maguro House and appetizers at Bamboo House. “Flight B” includes soup at Hang Tai and appetizers at Acapulco’s. Both flights feature two options for dinner plus a delicious dessert at The Rome Restaurant, where local musicians will provide a musical backdrop to the festivities.Tickets are $50 per person, including tips and taxes. Beverages are not included. Buy tickets and see menus on the Partnership’s Progressive Dinner page, https://downtownfranklindinner2016.eventbrite.com/Links to the page are also posted on the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ and on the FDP Facebook page. Diners will choose the start time and either “Flight A” or “Flight B” when they purchase tickets online.“We are excited to bring the community together with this second Progressive Dinner,” says event co-chair Joel Carrara.Sponsorships are available for this event. Contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net for more information or with questions about the dinner.

Monday, April 25, 2016

The Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate Horace Mann, Franklin’s favorite son, on the occasion of his 220th birthday. Join us on Sunday May 1st for coffee and cake in the museum library. A slide show presentation on the life of Horace Mann and his accomplishments will be running throughout the afternoon. Horace Mann was born in Franklin, May 4th, 1796. With very little primary education, he was mostly self-taught and entered Brown University as a sophomore after testing so well on his entrance exams. He graduated at the top of his class and went on to study law.

Horace Mann

In his life time he was a lawyer, a legislator, president of the Massachusetts Senate and an advocate for the abolition of slavery and the care of the mentally ill. He was named the first Secretary of Education in Massachusetts and this is where is life’s work is most highly noted. He created the Common School and established that all children should attend schools supported and funded by the community. He believed that, in a democratic society, education should be free and universal, nonsectarian, and reliant on well-trained, professional teachers. It’s these basic beliefs that shaped the education system used to this very day.

Franklin is proud to claim Horace Mann as our own. Later this year the town will honor him with a life size statue erected on the site of the former Horace Mann High School at the corner of Emmons Street and West Central Street.

At the same time the museum will recognize another favorite Franklin resident who shares her birthday with Horace Mann, but as she notes, he’s just a little older. Stop in and wish Ellie Crothers a Happy Birthday between 1:00PM and 4:00PM!

Friday, April 22, 2016

"Continuing in a tradition of “spotlighting” the members of the LiveARTS String Quartet as solo artists as well as ensemble players, LiveARTS is pleased to shine the spotlight on the LiveARTS String Quartet’s cellist, Jan Müller-Szeraws, in a recital all his own.

When our new friend Jan joined the Quartet last year, we were deeply impressed by the ease with which he slid into the cellist’s chair and the immediate seamlessness of his collegial participation in the ensemble’s work. In actuality, that he was able to do so should have come as no surprise, given the depth and breadth of his career.

Now as soloist--with the support of his collaborator, pianist Sally Pinkas, a highly acclaimed musician widely known in New England and returning to LiveARTS for a third appearance--the spotlight will fall upon Jan and his cello, lighting the way into an exploration of works especially for that instrument whose musical voice is universally loved, a voice that has inspired an enormously satisfying and broad musical literature. "

Jan Müller-Szeraws and Sally Pinkas

All Concerts on Sundays, 3:30 pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street

Doors open at 3 pm. Open Seating. Handicapped accessible

Adults $20

Seniors (60+) $15

Students $10

Children 6-12 Free

What better note on which to close this lovely season of LiveARTS friends?

Friday, April 15, 2016

On Saturday, April 30th, the Franklin Art Association will hold an opening reception and awards ceremony at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, Franklin. The show will feature an exhibit and sale of works of art by member artists, a "clothesline cash and carry" art sale, small works table and bin sales of original work and prints. Live music will be provided by the Franklin High School Jazz Band. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited.

Franklin Art Associate - Spring Show and Sale

The show opens on Saturday, April 30th, 12 pm - 8 pm, and continues through Sunday, May 1st, 12 pm - 3 pm."We are very excited to have the opportunity to showcase our members' artwork at this terrific new venue at THE BLACK BOX," says Sue Sheridan, association president.More than 100 pieces of art and photography by member artists will be featured. All works will be for sale and reasonably priced.The Franklin Art Association is a non-profit organization and has been continuously providing art education programs in Franklin for more than 40 years. Monthly meetings, art exhibits and painting workshops provide the opportunity for artists and photographers at every skill level to meet and learn from one another in a supportive environment. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Franklin Senior Center, which feature art demonstrations by established regional and national artists.The association's activities are supported in part by the Franklin Cultural Council, which is a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For more information about association activities, check the website at www.franklinart.org and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc/About the event:WHEN: Saturday, April 30th from 12 pm - 8 pm, with an opening reception at 7 pm. The show continues on Sunday, May 1st, 12 pm - 3 pm. WHERE: THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central St., FranklinADMISSION: FreeINFORMATION: www.franklinart.org

Forever Young

A Neil Young Tribute Band

April 23rd, $20

"Forever Young combines superb musicianship, great arrangements and a well chosen set list of hits and rarities in finely saluting one of rock's legends. They are also a lot of fun" ~ Patrick Norton, President, Narrows Center for the Arts

Forever Young - A Neil Young Tribute Band

On Saturday, April 23rd, award winning band Forever Young presents a tribute to the music of Neil Young at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin. Forever Young is a six piece band that performs the best of Neil Young's acoustic and electric songs! Forever Young takes you back, gets you singing and dancing, and puts those Neil Young songs in your head to linger long after the show!All of the musicians performing in Forever Young are staples of the Rhode Island music scene and veterans of many national and regional tours. In addition, they are all fans and have been influenced by the music of Neil Young. Drawing on his 40+ year career, the show highlights many of Young's popular songs and a few of the more obscure numbers.

The show is presented with the full six piece band doing both the acoustic and electric songs that Neil Young is famous for. The show is reminiscent of the "Four Way Street" live album recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and of Neil Young with his many back-up bands. Forever Young is:* John Amitrano – acoustic and electric bass, vocals* Amy Bedard – violin, vocals, guitar, keyboard* Gary St. Germain – drums, percussion and vocals* John Fuzek – 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, vocals, keyboard, 6-string banjo* Dan Lilley – electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, harmonica* Pete Vendettuoli – electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, keyboard, vocalshttp://johnfuzek.com/Forever_Young.html

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $20. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.

Upcoming Shows

May 7 DALA with The Young NovelistsMay 14 Jim Kweskin and Samoa Wilson

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter on Wednesday, April 13th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy.

A laugh is

Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience!

New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. New laughers are always welcomed! Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating.

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual, free Family Concert Series concludes this season with Opera for Kids, The Three Little Pigs, on Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Arranged by John Davies and set to the masterful music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Three Little Pigs is an operatic adaptation of the children’s fairytale classic and brings the beloved story to life.

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are geared toward children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances introduce audiences of all ages to music of many genres and feature talented, professional musicians in an engaging, entertaining and interactive way. The Three Little Pigs features Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) student Madi Asgeirsson and sopranos Shauna Martin and Mariko Matsumura as the three little pigs, along with lyric baritone Thomas Gareau as the wolf. Pianist Synthia Sture will accompany the vocalists.A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Shauna Martin received her master’s degree in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University. Her performances include a wide variety of operatic and musical theater roles in works by classical as well as contemporary composers. Shauna is a founding member of the popular children's show Opera Night in Canada and has performed with Canada’s regional orchestras and on CBC Radio.

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Matsumura received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Longy School of Music. Mariko's performance credits include Messiah, Aida, Hansel and Gretl, Der Rosenkavalier, The Magic Flute and numerous premiere performances throughout the Boston area. She has performed with Lorelei Ensemble, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Jyugoya Ensemble, Chorus Boston, Setegaya Women’s Chorus and Opera Unmet.

A graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a BM in Vocal Performance and an MM in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, Thomas Gareau has performed a wide variety of repertoire, from jazz to musical theater to opera and oratorio. As a regular and soloist with the Boston Choral Ensemble, he performed in the memorable production of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross as part of the Boston Early Music Festival. Other notable engagements include Odyssey Opera’s debut concert production of Wagner’s Rienzi at Jordan Hall. Thomas has appeared in numerous solo recitals performing standard repertoire and unearthing lesser known art songs and arias.

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.The musical will be on Friday, April 8th and Saturday, April 9th at 7:00 p.m.in the Franklin High School auditorium.Tickets are $10.00 and will be available at the door.

Friday, April 1, 2016

You are invited to be our Guest for an evening of fun and entertainment.

Join us on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm for "A Concert for the Senses" our Annual Music and Art Appreciation Night.

Together, we will hear from Franklin Forte, our Adult Chorus, in their latest public performance, along with many other musical offerings and accompaniments, including those of our music scholar/practitioners.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to view the works of our very own Adult Education Art Instructor, along with those of our budding artists in residence at the Watercolor Art Class.

As a special treat, we will have an abbreviated Staged Reading presented by Mel Howards, the director of our newly established Senior Players' Group. He will be accompanied by Karen Alves, director of the Franklin Senior Center. We hope to whet your appetite and motivate you to join the fledgling group.

The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning at Franklin is a program of the Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for adults in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities. Diverse and enriched education and experiences are the goals of The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning.